Each December, LIFT-Chicago organizes an end-of-year event for our members. More than just a winter coat distribution. —it’s a chance for our members to connect with each other, build community while and ensure their families have the essentials they need to stay warm through the colder months. Thanks to our partners, Share our Spare (SOS) and Cradles to Crayons, for helping us secure donations for essential — fulfilling a core part of LIFT’s model to create financial slack for families by supporting their basic needs. We are also incredibly grateful to our volunteers from Capital One, whose support was instrumental in making this event a success. Their help allowed us to extend the event to three days, providing more flexibility for members to pick up their items. This ensured that those who couldn’t attend on the designated day to have additional opportunities, to secure new coats, as well as essential items like razors, feminine care products, and grooming supplies for men.
Every year, this event serves as a reminder of the power of community, where we feel inspired, share love, and witness the impact of generosity. This year was no different, as we saw moments of true connection and support. One of the most impactful stories came from a member who had recently faced a series of difficult challenges, the loss of her job, a relocation, and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. She came to pick up items with the help of a friend, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, LIFT was able to extend support beyond our members, providing coats for her friend’s children. The friend, overwhelmed with gratitude, shared that she had been unable to afford new coats for her kids. She later registered for LIFT direct service program to receive further support. LIFT-Chicago is so excited to partner with her this year!
We’d like to extend gratitude to our building’s janitor, who was an invaluable asset to our team throughout this distribution. Their contributions have been pivotal, particularly given the volume of packages we received—over one hundred items—that they helped transport across the building to our office.
The impact of this event is immeasurable, not just in providing warmth and love to those in need, but in offering a sense of hope and community to all involved. 133 families were reached with over 479 coats distributed, over 200 hygiene products, and over 400 toys. These numbers are a testament to the power of collaboration and generosity, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible. Together, we’ve not only met immediate needs but also sparked lasting connections that will continue to uplift our community.